The race had changed dramatically with 110 laps to go after a crash between leaders Jeff Gordon and Matt Kenseth.

Gordon was out in front when he lost a tyre and hit the wall, leaving Kenseth with nowhere to go and both cars heavily damaged.

Tempers also flared after the race when Joey Logano leaned inside the car window of former team-mate Denny Hamlin to complain about Hamlin spinning him during the race.

Kahne was winning at Bristol for the first time in 19 attempts and was delighted to do so.

"This is one of those tracks that, as a driver, you feel like you really need to win at," said Kahne, who is now seventh in the points standings.

"We've been trying for a long time. To pull it off, I feel is a big accomplishment for our guys and myself. There are so many things that are thrown at you when you come to this place. We'd been fast here other times and not able to finish the deal."